Systems and methods employing a collision avoidance system to enhance pilot awareness

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods relate to an aircraft with a CAS that may be employed to enhance pilot awareness. The CAS may be employed on a formation member aircraft to provide a TA that is distinctive for an intruding formation member aircraft, as opposed to a TA provided as a result of an intruding nonmember aircraft. The CAS may also provide a plurality of status indications for aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, as well as aural indications of the present mode of operation for the CAS.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/713,356 filed Mar. 1, 2007, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/813,911, filed Mar. 30, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,190,303), therespective disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collision avoidance system (CAS),and, more particularly, to systems and methods of employing a CAS toenhance pilot awareness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An aircraft with a CAS may provide a pilot with information that mayenhance the pilot's awareness of situations pertaining to the aircraft(e.g., situational awareness). For example, a CAS display may show asymbol for the pilot's own aircraft, as well as symbols for otheraircraft detected within the surveillance volume for the CAS, therebyproviding the pilot with situational awareness. A CAS may also providesituational awareness by providing to the pilot traffic advisories (TAs)and resolution advisories (RAs).

An RA is information that may be provided by the CAS to the pilot torecommend a maneuver to increase separation relative to an intrudingaircraft. RA information typically consists of a visual indication,changing a displayed symbol for the intruding aircraft, and an auralindication, an announcement played on a CAS speaker recommending amaneuver, such as “climb climb.” Before an RA is provided, the CAS maytypically provide a TA, information that does not recommend a maneuverto the pilot, but does indicate that an intruding aircraft has reached apredefined condition representing some collision risk. TA informationtypically consists of a visual indication, changing a displayed symbolfor the intruding aircraft, and an aural indication, an announcementplayed on the CAS speaker consisting of “traffic traffic.”

A present-day CAS does not distinctly indicate to a pilot in an aircraftthat is a member of a formation whether a TA is caused by anotherformation member aircraft or by a nonmember of the formation. A pilot ina formation member aircraft that receives a TA based on anotherformation member has the same type of visual and aural indications thatwould have been received had the TA been based on a nonmember of theformation.

A present-day CAS also provides neither status indications for aircraftengaged in airborne refueling, nor aural indications of the present modeof operation for the CAS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosedfor employing a CAS for an aircraft that is a member of a formation todistinguish between members and nonmembers of the formation. The methodmay comprise providing a signal used to indicate only that one or moreother formation member aircraft has attained at least one of apredefined spatial condition and a predefined temporal condition.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method isdisclosed for employing a CAS for an aircraft that is engaged in arefueling operation. The method may comprise providing a signal used toindicate attainment of a predefined condition for the refuelingoperation.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method isdisclosed for employing a CAS for an aircraft to enhance awareness ofoperation of the CAS. The method may comprise providing a signal used toaurally indicate a change in a mode of operation of the CAS.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a methodis disclosed for employing a CAS for an aircraft to enhance awareness ofoperation of the CAS. The method may comprise providing a signal used toindicate a change in a mode of operation of the CAS, and modifying adisplayed view of an own aircraft symbol in response to the signal.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described withreference to the drawing, wherein like designations denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aircraft with a CAS, in accordance withsystems and methods of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of an aircraft formation that includes aformation member aircraft approaching to join a plurality of aircraftalready in formation, in accordance with systems and methods of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the formation of FIG. 2A approaching anotheraircraft that is not a member of the formation, in accordance withsystems and methods of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the CAS of FIG. 1, in accordance withsystems and methods of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing a method of employing the CAS of FIG.3 to distinguish between members and nonmembers of the aircraftformation of FIG. 2B, in accordance with systems and methods of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a method of employing the CAS of FIG.3 to facilitate aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, in accordancewith systems and methods of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart representing a method of employing the CAS of FIG.3 to enhance operational awareness of the CAS, in accordance withsystems and methods of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a displayed view including an own aircraft symbol provided bythe CAS of FIG. 3, in accordance with systems and methods of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7A is a close up and modified view of the own aircraft symbol ofFIG. 7, the modification being an additional displayed object inproximity to the own aircraft symbol, in accordance with systems andmethods of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplaryembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified plan view shows an aircraft 10 with aCAS 12. Aircraft 10 is shown as one type of military aircraft, however,aircraft 10 may comprise any type of military, civilian or other type ofaircraft. More generally, aircraft 10 may comprise any vehicle fortraveling through the air, including but not limited to a balloon, azeppelin, a glider, a helicopter, a turboprop aircraft, a jet aircraft,a rocket and any combinations thereof. Such combinations may include,but are not limited to vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a formation 14 is shown comprisingaircraft 10A-10D. As shown in FIG. 2A, aircraft 10A has not yet takenposition in formation 14, however, aircraft 10A is a member of formation14. FIG. 2B shows aircraft 10A in position in formation 14, whichresembles a diamond-like pattern, however, formation 14 may comprise anyarrangement of two or more aircraft in any predefined manner or for anyparticular purpose. Moreover, aircraft 10A-10D in formation 14 maycomprise military aircraft, civilian aircraft, any other type ofaircraft, or any combinations thereof. Aircraft 16 is not a member(i.e., a nonmember) of formation 14. Aircraft 16 may comprise amilitary, civilian or any other type of aircraft. In a variation, aplurality of aircraft may be substituted for aircraft 16, thesubstituted plurality comprising military aircraft, civilian aircraft,any other type of aircraft or any combinations thereof. Moreover, all,none or some of the substituted plurality of aircraft may comprise oneor more other aircraft formations.

As used herein, a CAS refers to any aircraft system that may use asignal from at least one of the air traffic control radar beacon system(ATCRBS), air traffic control mode S (ATC mode S) and the automaticdependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) for at least one of airbornesurveillance and collision avoidance functions. Such a CAS includes, butis not limited to any version of any system that may be referred to asan airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS), a traffic collisionavoidance system (TCAS) and an enhanced traffic alert and collisionavoidance system (ETCAS). Also representing such a CAS is CAS 12, shownin FIG. 3 as a simplified block diagram.

CAS 12 may include an antenna 18, a computer unit 20, a storage system22, a transponder 26, a display 28, a controller 30 and a speaker 32. Ina variation, any combinations of antenna 18, computer unit 20, storagesystem 22, transponder 26, display 28, controller 30 and speaker 32 maybe used. For example, CAS 12 may combine computer unit 20 with storagesystem 22, display 28 with speaker 32, and/or other combinations thatthose skilled in the art may appreciate.

Antenna 18 may comprise any one or more antennas, which may be used toreceive and/or transmit any desired signal for CAS 12. Typically, CAS 12may include more than one antenna 18, such as one or moreomnidirectional and directional antennas (not shown).

Computer unit 20 may comprise any one or more computer units, which mayperform desired CAS functions, including but not limited to airbornesurveillance and collision avoidance. Computer unit 20 may include areceiver, a transmitter and a processor to perform such CAS functions.

Storage system 22 may comprise any one or more electronic storagedevices, including but not limited to one or more of random-accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory(PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Storage system 22 mayhave one or more programs and/or data 24, which may be accessed forexecution by computer unit 20 to perform processes in accordance thepresent invention.

Transponder 26 may comprise any one or more transponders, which mayperform desired CAS transponder functions, including but not limited totransmitting and/or receiving signals of at least one of ATCRBS, ATCmode S and ADS-B.

Display 28 may comprise any one or more displays, which visuallyindicate desired CAS information. Such information may include, but isnot limited to displayed symbols representing own aircraft and otheraircraft within a defined CAS surveillance volume.

Speaker 32 may comprise any one or more speakers, which aurally indicatedesired CAS information. Such information may include, but is notlimited to TAs and RAs.

Controller 30 may comprise any one or more controllers, which may permitcontrol of CAS 12, as desired. Controller 30 may include one or moreselectors, such as one or more switches, dials or the like with one ormore selectable positions to select desired modes of operation. CASmodes of operation may include, but are not limited to OFF, TA ONLY,TA/RA and FORMATION, though various other names may apply. In the OFFmode, CAS 12 is off. In the TA ONLY mode, CAS 12 may provide situationalawareness that may include TAs. In the TA/RA mode, CAS 12 may providesituational awareness that may include TAs and RAs.

In the FORMATION mode, CAS 12 may provide at least two manners ofoperation, depending on whether aircraft 10 is in formation. In oneinstance with CAS 12 in FORMATION mode and aircraft 10 not in formation,CAS 12 may provide situational awareness that may include TAs and RAs.In another instance with CAS 12 in FORMATION mode and aircraft 10 information, CAS 12 may provide situational awareness that may include TAsfor nonmember aircraft, non-TA indications for formation member aircraftand no RAs. In a variation of FORMATION mode, CAS 12 may provide atleast two manners of operation, depending on a factor other than whetheraircraft 10 is in formation, such as by position of a selector oncontroller 30.

Providing such non-TA indications for formation member aircraft may alsobe used with any other modes of operation for CAS 12, including but notlimited to the TA ONLY and TA/RA modes. In such a modified TA ONLY mode,CAS 12 may provide situational awareness that may include TAs fornonmember aircraft and non-TA indications for formation member aircraft.In such a modified TA/RA mode, CAS 12 may provide situational awarenessthat may include TAs for nonmember aircraft, non-TA indications forformation member aircraft and RAs.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart depicts a method of employing CAS 12 todistinguish between members 10A-10D and a nonmember 16 of aircraftformation 14 in FIG. 2B. Those skilled in the art appreciate that one ormore programs and/or data 24 in storage system 22 may be utilized bycomputer unit 20 to so direct and coordinate operation of CAS 12, asshown in FIG. 3.

For purposes of setting a context, the following process is describedfrom the point of view of formation member aircraft 10A, though it maysimilarly apply to any other formation member aircraft 10B-10D.Additionally, in the context of describing this process, CAS 12 onformation member aircraft 10A is assumed to be in the FORMATION mode.

In step 34, formation member aircraft 10A may detect with computer unit20 of CAS 12 other formation member aircraft 10B-10D and nonmemberaircraft 16. Symbols representing such aircraft may be shown on display28 for situational awareness.

In step 36, formation member aircraft 10A may determine with computerunit 20 of CAS 12 whether detected aircraft are members of formation 14.For such a determination, formation members 10A-10D may broadcastidentifying information to CAS 12, or to any other system. Suchinformation may include an aircraft identification code associated withformation 14 or any other information that may identify formationmembers 10A-10D as members of formation 14. Based on the determinationof step 36, the process passes to step 38 for nonmember aircraft 16 andto step 42 for formation members 10B-D.

In step 38, formation member aircraft 10A may determine with computerunit 20 of CAS 12 whether a predefined condition is met for nonmemberaircraft 16. Any predefined condition that triggers a TA may beutilized, such as a projected time-to-impact falling below a predefinedminimum time limit or a distance between aircraft falling below apredefined minimum spatial limit. Based on the determination of step 38,the process passes to step 34 when nonmember aircraft 16 has not met apredefined condition for CAS 12 to issue a TA to aircraft 10A and tostep 40 when such a condition is met.

In step 40, formation member aircraft 10A may receive a TA from CAS 12to signify that nonmember aircraft 16 has met a predefined condition fora TA. Such a TA may be generated by computer unit 20 to change a symbolshown on display 28 for nonmember aircraft 16 and to announce “traffictraffic” over speaker 32 to alert the occupant(s) of aircraft 10A of thestatus of nonmember aircraft 16.

In step 42, formation member aircraft 10A may determine with computerunit 20 of CAS 12 whether aircraft 10A is in formation, as exemplifiedby FIG. 2B, as opposed to FIG. 2A. To make such a determination,computer unit 20 may consider any information, such as range, bearingand/or elevation, flight ID, Mode 2 4096 Mode, or Mode 3/A code that maybe communicated in any way, such as by electronic transmission betweenformation member aircraft 10A-10D. With such information, CAS 12 maydetermine when aircraft 10A meets a predefined condition indicating thataircraft 10A is in formation according to CAS 12. CAS 12 mayautomatically determine that aircraft 10A is in formation when, forexample, aircraft 10A meets a predefined spatial condition with respectto one or more of aircraft 10B-10D. Based on the determination of step42, the process passes to step 34 when aircraft 10A is not yet information 14 and to step 44 when it is in formation.

In step 44, formation member aircraft 10A may determine with computerunit 20 of CAS 12 whether one or more of the other formation memberaircraft 10B-10D has attained one or more of a predefined spatialcondition and a predefined temporal condition. A predefined spatialcondition may comprise any predefined spatial threshold that mayindicate that one or more of aircraft 10B-10D may be operating with somedegree of danger with respect to aircraft 10A. For example, one or moreof aircraft 10B-10D may fall below a minimum limit for a predefinedrange and/or elevation threshold with respect to aircraft 10A. Apredefined temporal condition may comprise any predefined temporalthreshold that may indicate that one or more of aircraft 10B-10D may beoperating with some degree of danger with respect to aircraft 10A. Forexample, one or more of aircraft 10B-10D may fall below a minimum limitfor a predefined time-to-impact threshold with respect to aircraft 10A.In making such a determination, computer unit 20 may consider anyspatial and/or temporal information that may be communicated in any waybetween formation member aircraft 10A-10D, which may include but is notlimited to one or more of a three-dimensional position or fix, bearing,range, elevation, velocity and acceleration. Based on the determinationof step 44, the process passes to step 34 when neither a predefinedspatial condition, nor a predefined temporal condition is met and tostep 46 when one or both conditions are met.

In step 46, a formation member alert may be provided in response to asignal that may be provided by computer unit 20 of CAS 12 to indicate tothe occupant(s) of formation member aircraft 10A that one or more ofaircraft 10B-10D has attained one or more of a predefined spatialcondition and a predefined temporal condition. Those skilled in the artunderstand that the signal that causes issuance of the formation memberalert may be provided from any part of CAS 12 or elsewhere on aircraft10A. The formation member alert may indicate to the occupant(s) offormation member aircraft 10A that a potentially unsafe condition mayexist between formation member aircraft 10A and one or more of formationmember aircraft 10B-10D, which may require a response from formationmember aircraft 10A to reduce the danger.

The formation member alert may provide such indication in any way,including but not limited to visually and/or aurally. Display 28 mayprovide a visual indication of a formation member alert by, for example,changing the appearance of one or more of formation member aircraft10B-10D causing issuance of the formation member alert. Speaker 32 mayprovide an aural indication of a formation member alert by, for example,playing any unique sound or series of sounds that inform the occupant(s)of aircraft 10A that one or more of formation member aircraft 10B-10Dhave caused issuance of the formation member alert. Such a unique soundor series of sounds may comprise any, such as an announcement, that isnot a TA (i.e., “traffic traffic”) pertaining to nonmember aircraft 16.Such an aural indication may comprise an announcement, including but notlimited to any one or more of “monitor member,” “traffic monitortraffic,” “monitor traffic,” “member traffic,” “encroachment” and“monitor encroachment.”

Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart depicts a method of employing CAS 12for a tanker aircraft that is engaged in airborne refueling with areceiver aircraft. Those skilled in the art appreciate that one or moreprograms and/or data 24 in storage system 22 may be utilized by computerunit 20 to so direct and coordinate operation of CAS 12, as shown inFIG. 3.

For purposes of setting a context, the tanker aircraft and the receiveraircraft may be engaged in the refueling operation from at least theapproach of the receiver aircraft to connect with the tanker aircraft toat least the departure of the receiver aircraft from the tankeraircraft, whether or not the receiver aircraft actually connects withand receives fuel from the tanker aircraft. Also, CAS 12 on the tankeraircraft is assumed to be in a REFUELING mode, which may be selectedwith controller 30. The receiver aircraft need not, but may haveselected the same mode of CAS operation. While the indications aredelineated below from the context of the refueling aircraft, similarindications may be provided on the receiver aircraft.

In step 48, the tanker aircraft may detect with computer unit 20 of CAS12 the receiver aircraft, which may or may not be a formation memberaircraft. A symbol representing the receiver aircraft may be shown ondisplay 28 for situational awareness on the tanker aircraft. Symbols forother aircraft that may be detected by the tanker aircraft may also beshown on display 28.

In step 50, the tanker aircraft may determine with computer unit 20 ofCAS 12 whether a predefined condition is attained for the receiveraircraft, which may comprise one or more of a predefined spatialcondition and a predefined temporal condition. In this context, apredefined spatial condition may comprise any predefined spatialthreshold relating in any way to the refueling operation, such as anythreshold horizontal or vertical distance between the tanker aircraftand the receiver aircraft. In this context, a predefined temporalcondition may comprise any predefined temporal threshold relating in anyway to the refueling operation, such as any threshold time-to-reach aspecified distance between the tanker aircraft and the receiveraircraft. In making such a determination, computer unit 20 may considerany spatial and/or temporal information that may be communicated in anyway between the tanker aircraft and the receiver aircraft, which mayinclude but is not limited to one or more of a three-dimensionalposition or fix, bearing, range, elevation, velocity and acceleration.Based on the determination of step 50, the process passes to step 48when no predefined condition is attained and to step 52 when at leastone predefined condition is attained.

In step 52, an indication may be provided in response to a signal thatmay be provided by computer unit 20 of CAS 12 to indicate to theoccupant(s) of the tanker aircraft that the receiver aircraft hasattained one or more predefined conditions for the refueling operation.Those skilled in the art understand that the signal that causes issuanceof such an indication may be provided from any part of CAS 12 orelsewhere on the tanker aircraft. Such an indication may be provided inany way, including but not limited to visually and/or aurally. Display28 may provide a visual indication by, for example, changing theappearance the receiver aircraft as it reaches a specified point ofinterest to the tanker aircraft. Speaker 32 may provide an auralindication by, for example, playing any unique sound or series of soundsthat inform the occupant(s) of the tanker aircraft that the receiveraircraft has reached a specified point of interest to the tankeraircraft. Such a unique sound or series of sounds may comprise any, suchas an announcement, that may communicate to the tanker aircraft a pointof interest regarding the refueling operation.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart depicts a method of employing CAS 12 toenhance the awareness of the operation of CAS 12 for the occupant(s) ofaircraft 10. Those skilled in the art appreciate that one or moreprograms and/or data 24 in storage system 22 may be utilized by computerunit 20 to so direct and coordinate operation of CAS 12, as shown inFIG. 3. For purposes of setting a context, aircraft 10 with CAS 12 maybe engaged in any operation, whether or not aircraft 10 is a member ofan aircraft formation.

In step 54, aircraft 10 may determine with computer unit 20 the currentmode of operation for CAS 12. Such a determination may include, but isnot limited to reading data in storage system 22 and/or reading one ormore CAS mode-of-operation selections from controller 30. A mode ofoperation for CAS 12 may comprise any predefined operational format forCAS 12, which may include but is not limited to any selection orcombination of selections that may be made with controller 30, such asthe OFF mode, the TA ONLY mode, the TA/RA mode, the FORMATION mode andthe REFUEL mode. A mode of operation for CAS 12 may also comprise anychange to any surveillance characteristic of CAS 12, such as alteringthe surveillance volume for CAS 12.

In step 56, aircraft 10 may evaluate with computer unit 20 whether therehas been a change in the mode of operation of CAS 12 by comparing theresults of the most recent consecutive pair of iterations of step 54. Achange in the iteration results may indicate a change in the mode ofoperation for CAS 12. Based on the determination of step 56, the processpasses to step 54 when there has been no change to the mode of operationfor CAS 12 and to step 58 when there has been a change.

In a variation of steps 54 and 56, instead of monitoring for changes inCAS mode of operation iteratively, a signal may be provided to computerunit 20 anytime that a change in mode of operation occurs to identifythe new mode of operation for CAS 12.

In step 58, aircraft 10 may evaluate with computer unit 20 whether toreport the change in the mode of operation for CAS 12. Such anevaluation may include, but is not limited to reading data in storagesystem 22. Based on the determination of step 58, the process passes tostep 54 when there is no need to report the change in the mode ofoperation for CAS 12 and to step 60 when there is such a need.

In step 60, an indication may be provided in response to a signal thatmay be provided by computer unit 20 of CAS 12 to indicate to theoccupant(s) of aircraft 10 that there may have been a change in mode ofoperation for CAS 12. Those skilled in the art understand that thesignal that causes issuance of such an indication may be provided fromany part of CAS 12 or elsewhere on aircraft 10. Such an indication maybe provided in any way, including but not limited to visually and/oraurally.

Display 28 may provide a visual indication of a change in the mode ofoperation of CAS 12 by, for example, changing the appearance of adisplayed symbol 62 for own aircraft 10, as shown in FIG. 7 with rangerings 64 around own aircraft symbol 62. Changing the appearance of ownaircraft symbol 62 may include, but is not limited to one or more ofchanging its color, size and shape; periodically interrupting itsdisplay; and adding at least one further displayed object in proximityto own aircraft symbol 62. FIG. 7A shows an example of the latterchange, adding at least one further displayed object 66 in proximity toown aircraft symbol 62, such as a circle 66 bounding an area 68, whichmay represent a region where display of one or more aircraft 10 may beinhibited to reduce screen clutter and complexity. The further displayedobject 66 may be any displayed object of any size, shape, color, or anyother visual characteristic. In a variation, the further displayedobject may only partially surround own aircraft symbol 62. Multiplevariations of own aircraft symbol 62 may represent a multitude ofdifferent communications to an aircraft occupant, such as the presentone of several different possible modes of operation for CAS 12.

Speaker 32 may provide an aural indication of a change in the mode ofoperation of CAS 12 by, for example, playing any unique sound or seriesof sounds that so inform the occupant(s) of aircraft 10. Such a uniquesound or series of sounds may comprise any, such as an announcement,that may communicate to the occupant(s) of aircraft 10 the change in themode of operation of CAS 12. Exemplary announcements may include any oneor more of, but are not limited to “traffic advisory mode,” “TA mode,”“resolution advisory mode,” “RA mode,” “TA/RA mode,” “formation mode,”“limited surveillance,” “reduced surveillance” and “ATC off.”

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A method of employing a collision avoidance system for an aircraftthat is a member of a formation to distinguish between members andnonmembers of the formation, the method comprising providing a signalused to indicate only that one or more other formation member aircrafthas attained at least one of a predefined spatial condition and apredefined temporal condition.